Parish Office (863) 453-4757 Fax (863) 453-2620

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 26, 2017

Parish Office Hours Monday through Friday 9 AM to 2:30 PM

Pastor Fr. Nicholas McLoughlin

Assisting Clergy Fr. Gerald Grogan Pastor Emeritus Fr. Leo Frechette

Deacon Fred Simon

Schedule of Masses Saturday Confession 3:30 PM English 6:30 PM Spanish Vigil Mass 4 PM English 7 PM Spanish Sunday 8 AM and 10:30 AM Life Teen 6 PM Holy Days Vigil Mass 5:30 PM 8 & 10:30 AM Daily Mass Monday-Friday 8 AM First Friday Mass and Holy Hour 8 AM Visit us on the web! www.ologap.org

Masses on Ash Wednesday: 8, 10:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. (Spanish) 7 p.m.

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Ash Wednesday – March 1 Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule: 8, 10:30 a.m., & 5:30 p.m. Spanish Mass – 7 p.m. Lenten daily masses 8 a.m. & MON & Wed – 6 p.m. Stations of the Cross: Friday, March 3: 5 p.m. Confessions: Friday, 5:30 p.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. K of C ‘Fish Bake’ in Grogan Center, Friday, March 3:

5:30 – 7 p.m.

Lenten Regulations on Fasting and Abstinence Fast & Abstinence: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday a r e d a ys of F a st & Abstinence. Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics, ages 18 to 59 (inclusive). On Fast days one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain energy, may be taken according to one’s needs. Eating between meals is not permitted. Abstinence: All F r id a ys of L en t a r e d a ys of a b st in en ce. Ab st in en ce is observed by those who are 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed. Ash Wednesday, and all the Fridays of Lent, including Good Friday, are all days of abstinence. •

Note: I f a p a r ish ion er is u n a b le t o ob ser ve t h e a b ove r egu la t ion s due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are encouraged to practice some form of self-denial suitable to their condition.

CRS Lenten Practice – Operation Rice Bowl In the Gospel of Ash Wednesday (Mt 6: 1-6; 12-18) Jesus outlines three practices for the Lenten season: fasting, Almsgiving and Prayer. Operation Rice Bowl: You will receive Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Operation Rice Bowl; parishioners are encouraged to participate in ORB. • Place the Rice Bowl in the middle of the family dining room table during the season of Lent. Each family is encouraged to eat one frugal meal on a designated day – preferably Friday - each week during Lent. Suggestions for the frugal meal menu can be gleaned from the CRS booklet, or, can be agreed to by each family. We will collect the proceeds from the Rice Bowls on the last Sunday of Lent. •

OLG Small Faith Sharing Communities (SFC) G roups of 8-10 parishioners meet in parishioners’ homes for Faith sharing,

based on the Lent Sunday Readings, once-a-week for the 6 weeks of Lent. Call 453-4757.

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Lent Family Prayer Commitment Dear Parishioners: T h e sea son of L en t begins this coming Wednesday, March 1. The Gospel of the Day (MT 6: 1-6; 16-18) emphasizes three (3) practices for the Lenten season – Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving. Prayer: t h e G osp el em p h a sizes Personal Prayer, wh ich in clu d es Family Prayer. The contemporary family is under great stress from outside and from inside. From outside, the family is under attack from secular forces, which are multiplying models of marriage to suit individual conveniences. The family is also under pressure from inside, because of the erosion of the family by technology and the social media. Family members are saturated and “plugged-in” to their own individual ‘worlds,’ as a consequence of which they are ‘unplugged’ from the normal intimate world of the family. Eleanor Rigby a nticipa ted the impa ct of the Technological Revolution with its prophetic words, “L ook at all those lonely people.” “Loneliness,” becoming “strangers” and “being out of touch” with one another has replaced the natural “intimacy” which is such a normal part of the family experience. It is okay to be “independent” and to be in contact with one’s own world. But, God also made us “inter-dependent.” W e n eed each other. The very first words uttered by God in the Book of Genesis, after he had created the first human being, was, “It is not good that man should be alone.” “Aloneness” a n d “togetherness” a r e n ot in opposition to one another; they complement one another. So, too, within the family. “Prayer” is the Glue that binds the family together. “The family that prays together stays together.” For Lent let us “give up” the IPhones, IPads, TV, for a half hour each day during Lent to Pray as a family; to put us back in touch with God, self and family. Fr. Nick.

Page 3 Queridos Feligreses: Que maravilloso reconocer que pase lo que pase tenemos algo constante para siempre: ¡Dios nos ama profundamente como una madre ama a su hijo! (Isaías 49,14-15). Este miércoles, con una misa a 7pm, empezaremos a reconocer lo que es más importante en nuestras vidas con la misa de Miércoles de Ceniza. Caminar emos en el “desier to” con el Señor por cuarenta (40) días de ayuno y abstinencia. Los días de ayuno son Miércoles de Ceniza y Viernes Santo para las edades de 18 a 59. Una comida completa es permitida con dos comidas pequeñas. Comer entre horas no es permitido en Miércoles de Ceniza y Viernes Santo. No se come carne el Miércoles de Ceniza y todos los viernes de Cuaresma para los que han cumplido 14 años. También hay estaciones de la cruz ante de la misa de sábado a las 6pm. Diácono Fred VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE PEREGRINA: Aquellas familias que quieren tenerla en su casa por una semana comunicarse con Teresa Torres CLASES DE INGLES: Completamente gratis, todos los Lunes, Martes y Jueves de 6:00 a 9:00 de la noche en los salones de clase. INTENCIONES DE LA MISA: Hable con Teresa Torres (863-449-0039) BAUTIZOS: Para los niños menor de siete (7) anos. Hay que hacer un curso Pre-Bautismal. Los de siete (7) anos o más tienen que hacer un curso que incluye clases de la Primera Comunión. Es necesario traer el acta de nacimiento ORIGINAL, no copia. Comunicarse con la Oficina Parroquial (863453-4757) CONFESION: 6:15 – Ante de la Misa de 7 de la tarde los Sábados. MISION: 13-16 de Marzo, 7- 9 pm, con Padre Domingo Rodríguez RETIRO DE MUJERES: 20 de Mayo (Teresa Torres)

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OLG Church Service Center Collection Saturday/Sunday, March 4/5

The Churches in Avon Park, including OLG Parish, cares for 600 poor families here in Avon Park, representing between 1,200 and 1,500 poor people through the Church Service Center (CSC). They provide food and clothing and assistance with bills. We invite you to bring non-perishable food to Church next weekend to all masses. You can drop it off on your way into Church. We will also take a second collection to help with rent and mortgage payments and with water and electric bills. Thank you. K of C Breakfast, Sunday, March 5, 8 a.m. to 12 noon, in the Grogan Center. The Knights of Columbus will serve breakfast next Sunday, March 5, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon. It will start serving brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon. Breakfast and/or brunch costs $7 per person and, children under 12 eat free. The Knights of Columbus provide a good breakfast to afford parishioners an opportunity to get to know one another. We have many seasonal visitors. Let’s get to know them.

Vocation Awareness Weekend St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami is hosting a Vocation Awareness Weekend from Friday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, March 12 at 12:00 p.m. This seminary visit is open to all young men, ages 16 and older. It is an engaging and fulfilling time of prayer, talks, sports, and other fun activities with the seminarians and faculty of St. John Vianney. Come and experience what life is like for one discerning God's call to the priesthood! There is no cost for the weekend and transportation is provided. To register, please contact the Vocations Director, Father Eric Scanlon, call the Vocations Office at 941-486-4720, or, email him at, [email protected]

V Encuentro, Sesiones del Decanato Este La O f i c i n a del Apostolado Hispano de la Diócesis de Venice organiza una serie de sesiones por decanatos para continuar el proceso del V Encuentro. Los fieles del Decantado Este están invitados a participar a las siguientes reuniones que se realizarán en el Campo San José, 170 S. Sun 'N' Lakes Blvd., Lake Placid. Febrero 24, 6.30 p .m . t o 8: 00 p .m . Llamados a un encuentro de amor con Jesús. Marzo 14, 6.30 p .m . t o 8: 00 p .m . Caminando juntos con Jesús. Abril 25, 6.30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Dando frutos de vida nueva vida. Mayo 20, 9.30 a .m . t o 11:00 a.m. - Festejando la alegría de ser discípulos misioneros. Informacion: [email protected],or, call (941) 484-9543

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Page 5 Diocese of Venice Wedding Anniversary Celebration – March 11. All couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or more than 50 years of marriage are invited by Bishop Frank J. Dewane to an Anniversary Mass in their honor on Sat, March 11th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Leo Parish, Bonita Springs. There will be a special luncheon reception immediately after mass in the Parish Social Hall. To Register, Call Betty at 453-4757. St. Patrick's Day Dispensation

Save the date Saturday, March 4, 2017 Our Lady of Grace Scholarship Fund

Golf Tournament 8 a.m. shotgun start.

Pinecrest Golf Club 2250 S. Little Lake Bonnet Road Avon Park, FL., 33825 $65 per person $260 per foursome Entry forms at the Parish office, or Pinecrest Golf Club. For Information: Call Dennis Kellner 863-449-2135 Make a foursome for a good cause Scholarships for High School Graduates

With St. Patrick's Day falling on a Friday

(March 17) during the Lenten Season, Bishop Frank J. Dewane is granting a oneday dispensation of abstaining from meat on that Friday alone. The faithful are encouraged to choose another day in the same week to abstain from meat and to perform some other penance or work of charity on March 17 to assist in their spiritual Lenten journey. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age and older. Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent (and Good Friday) are days of abstinence. Fasting, almsgiving and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. 2017 Men's Conference The Diocese of Venice extends an invitation to all men to attend the 2017 Diocese of Venice Men's Conference on Saturday, March 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. Cost in advance is $20 (pre-registration on line), students $5 pre-registration. Cost at the door is $30, and $10 for students. The day includes i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y renowned speakers, Jeff Cavins, EWTN regular and creator of the popular Great Adventure Bible Study and t h e Bible T i m e l i n e , a s w e l l a s Kevin Lowry and Mike Pacer. For C o n f e r e n c e d e t a i l s and to register go to dioceseofvenice.org/mens.

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MASS INTENTIONS SATURDAY 4:00 pm 7:00 pm SUNDAY 8:00 am 10:30 am 6:00 pm MONDAY 8:00 am TUESDAY 8:00 am WEDNESDAY 8:00 am 10:30 am 5:30 pm THURSDAY 8:00 am FRIDAY 8:00 am SATURDAY 8:00 am

4:00 pm 7:00 pm SUNDAY 8:00 am 10:30 am 6:00 pm

FEBRUARY 25 Gary & Sharon Ingalls (50th Wedding Anniversary). Spanish Mass FEBRUARY 26 + Bill Jones by Robert Paeper + Luis Rodriguez by Jose & Zoraida Rodriguez. + Robert Hedrick by Millie Hedrick FEBRUARY 27 Souls in Purgatory who have no one to pray for them. FEBRUARY 28 + Timothy Roche by Neal Roche MARCH 1 + Carole Foss by Dennis & Kathy Lukasik + Deceased Parents of Christian & Electa Zanetti + Bill Jones by M/M Leon Schulte. MARCH 2 + Edward Castine by Maureen Castine. + Ross Johnson by Norm & Yvonne Johnson. MARCH 3 + Joan Roche & Timothy by Neal Roche MARCH 4 For the Benefactors of the Parish, Fred Bruno, Sarah McDonald, Francis & Audrey Peffer, Paul Brazinski, Loumella Faust, Donald McCormack, John Lacenski, Pegy Lindlau, Lester Reinbolt, Maria Guerrero, Orlando Nardone. + Richard Breen by his sister Phyllis. Camez Castro Por su Sulud by Evajelina Camez. MARCH 5 + Patty McGill by Kathy Tirdil. + Ralph Miranda by Religious Education Staff. + Dick Crosson by Paul & Justine Devlin.

FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH Jade Jackson Laura Rankin Noelle Earnest Cammy Cerrati Lynn Burgoon Dennis Lukasik Francis Sementilli Gerald Martin Melissa Tyalssa Maureen Raymond And for those who care for the sick, for the deceased, members and benefactors of the parish and for our loved ones.

Dick LeJune Teresa Wildey Lise Sevigny Bob Hebert

ASH WEDNESDAY COLLECTION MARCH 1st The Collection at all masses on Ash Wednesday, March 1, is for the Church in Central & Eastern Europe. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS TRIP TO ITALY There are only 14 spaces left for this trip. The Knights invite all parishioners and friends to travel with them on our 11 day, 6 city fully escorted tour of Italy. Trip begins on September 14, 2017 and ends September 24th. For more details and a brochure please call Bob or Joan Mack at 863-453-2628.

FAITH FORMATION PRESENTATIONS Faith Formation Sessions will continue on Wednesday March 1. HOWEVER, this session will be presented beginning at 9:30 am due to Ash Wednesday. More information on future sessions will be made available as soon as that info is available. OUR LADY OF GRACE WOMEN’S GUILD The upcoming meeting for the Women’s Guild will be held on March 8 at 1:00 pm in the Grogan Center. All women of the parish (both year around and seasonal) are welcome to come join us.

Staff & Ministries Administrative Assistant Betty Heiring [email protected]

Religious Education Judy Nugent Angie Heiring [email protected] (863) 453-7537 Music Gene Ryan [email protected] Associate Youth Directors Angie Heiring Anthony Fontanes (863) 453-7537 Prayer Group Kevin Murphy Women’s Guild Marie Yost- President (863) 257-3190 Respect Life Dick & Marie Carlson (863) 873-5423 Parish Council President Dennis Kellner Vice President Judy Pounds Secretary Judy Nugent Members Debbie Augusta Maureen Cool Darlyne Devany Jim McGann Karen Hecker Piedad SarmientoNoriega Mark Sevigny Tina Starling Teresa Torres John Wolbert

Bishop’s 2017 Annual Catholic Faith Appeal Bishop Dewane, in giving “voice” to the “voiceless” in the Diocese of Venice is echoing Pope Francis’ “voice” for the “voiceless,” when he states, “None of us can think that we are exempt from concerns for the Poor and for Social Justice.” In today’s 1 st reading, the prophet Isaiah was chosen as a prophet to “speak out” on behalf of God and, to give “voice” to the oppressed “voiceless.” Bishop Dewane’s Appeal for support for the Diocese of Venice outreach programs, services and ministries amplifies and applies Pope Francis’ appeal on behalf of those who live at the fringes in our 10 county Diocese, with 5 counties on the Gulf of Mexico, from Manatee in the north to Collier in the south; and 5 counties in the interior, including: Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hendry and Glades. Catholic Charities alone took care 0f 40,200 people with 38 programs in the Diocese with a variety of needs in 2016. Many of the 18 Migrant Missions and parishes are heavily subsidized by funds from the CFA. Bishop Dewane appeals to permanent and seasonal residents alike. He encourages permanent residents to make a 10 month pledge and, seasonal residents t o m a k e a p led ge for t h e n u m b er of m on t h s t h a t you winter here, normally ranging between 1 – 6 months. T h is a llows seasonal residents to support their ‘Northern’ Diocese for the period of time that they are there. Bishop Dewane encourages every parish family to support the 2017 Annual Catholic Faith Appeal. You should have received pledge cards with your letter from Bishop Dewane. You can use them to make your pledge. If you did not receive a pledge card, you can pick one up on tables at all church exits. We ask you to complete them and return them as soon as possible. Thank you. An emerging need that Catholic Charities is addressing and redressing is Human Trafficking. Florida has the 3 rd highest rate of Trafficking in the U.S. The highest concentration is along the 1-4 corridor which includes Highlands.